08/05/2026
Yesterday, while I was teaching class, I noticed a young man and his father walk into our academy. The young man was wearing a crisp, clean uniform from another dojo.
Simoe Leah greeted them and asked how she could help. After speaking with them, she came over to the mat and asked if I could step away for a moment to talk with them.
The moment I saw the young man, I recognized him. Just last weekend, he had competed in the 12–13-year-old Brown Belt Forms Division against two of my students. He was an outstanding martial artist.
I turned my class over to one of my senior black belts and invited the father into my office.
He began by telling me how impressed his son, Ruben, had been during the tournament. All of my students—from Yellow Belt to Brown Belt—were competing for the very first time.
During the Brown Belt Forms Division, one of my students, Aldrin, was mistakenly awarded a medal due to a scoring error. Without hesitation, Aldrin immediately informed the judges, removed the medal, and handed it back. The judges apologized and corrected the mistake.
What happened next is something I will never forget.
Ruben told his father that he believed Aldrin deserved that medal because of how well he performed. So, they came to our academy—not to train, not to switch schools—but simply to make sure the right person received the medal.
The father asked if I would present the medal to Aldrin. I smiled and told him, “No… I think your son should do that.”
They arrived around 4:30 p.m. and patiently waited until Aldrin came to class. I gathered the students together, shared the story, and then invited young Ruben onto the training floor, where he personally presented Aldrin with the medal.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
At Tony Ramos Kajukenbo, I always tell our students that we are Ohana—family. And even though we train in different Kajukenbo methods and systems, we’re still family… just cousins wearing different patches.
We hear so much about what’s wrong with kids today. After more than 40 years of teaching and competing in the martial arts, I can honestly say I have never witnessed an act of integrity, humility, and sportsmanship quite like this.
Ruben, your parents should be incredibly proud of the young man you are becoming. Aldrin, your honesty speaks volumes about your character.
This is what martial arts is truly about.
God is great. 🙏🥋❤️
